By Francis Quamina Farrier

THE sad news of the recent passing of Guyanese cultural icon Claire Ann Goring, MS, came as a surprise, and even a shock, to the many who knew her. Born in Victoria Village on the East Coast of Demerara in British Guiana and educated at The Bishops’ High School in Georgetown, Claire Goring was fortunate to have benefitted from both the rural and urban lifestyles of the country of her birth.

The village of Victoria boasts a rich African culture, with music and dance, food and frolic, which Claire Goring enjoyed, assimilated and practised all her life. The songs, dances, and other folklore of the village of Victoria, were all part of her growing-up years in that iconic village on the East Coast of Demerara in Region Four.

Victoria is also regarded and respected as the first village established on the Coastland of British Guiana after the abolition of slavery in the colony in 1838. The history of Victoria records that, in November 1839, 83 freed slaves pooled their financial resources, which they had saved during the latter years of slavery, and purchased Plantation Northbrook, which they renamed VICTORIA.

History of that event reveals that the Africans transported the money in wheelbarrows and paid 30,000 Guilders for the property. What was never officially reported or is generally known is that the price requested from the purchasers was somewhat inflated. After the purchase, the village was named “VICTORIA” by the Africans in honour of the young English queen. They believed that it was the young Queen Victoria who had singlehandedly abolished slavery.

Nonetheless, they harboured a disagreement with the young Queen Victoria of far-away England for choosing the German Prince Albert to be her husband. That position held by the ancestors of Claire Goring and other early residents of Victoria was put to song by those ancestors. It has a mournful tune and lyrics which states: “When me go home, me go tell me mooma say, Victoria married wan German Man. German man! German man! Victoria married wan German man.”

Victoria and Albert’s wedding took place on February 10, 1840. That, of course, begs the question. “Why did the ancestors of Claire Goring disapprove of Queen Victoria marrying a German?” Could it have been that they foresaw Germany declaring war on England on two occasions? Did the Africans of Victoria see clearly in the future? Germany fought two world wars against England. There was the blitz in which GUIANESE soldiers fought for England.

How did the ancestors of Claire Goring and others of that time – the mid-1850s – foresee Germany fighting against England in two world wars – 1914-1919 and 1939-1945 – and in which men from British Guiana, including men from Victoria, fought! They were citizens of British Guiana, some being the ancestors of Claire Ann Goring.

When she migrated to the United States some years ago, she practically took her love for Guyana by becoming an active member of the Guyana Cultural Association (GCA) of New York. In so doing, Claire Goring worked along with others, such as Dr. Vibert Cambridge, Ave Maria Brewster, Dr. Juliet Emanuel, Edgar Henry, Claire Patterson Mona and the late Maurice Braithwaite and Ron Bobb-Semple.

While never seeking publicity while working for the ongoing development of the GCA of New York, Goring made many sacrifices, especially with her time. She would give many hours almost every day, working on the numerous projects and little things to be done during the run-up to the annual Guyana Folk Festivals over the years.

Most of the artwork for the promotion and decorations for those Annual Folk Festivals were created and done by Claire Goring. They were all of international standards, which I have told her numerous times. During her long years of service to the Guyana Cultural Association of New York and Guyana, by extension, Claire Goring’s selfless service was recognised.

Along with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, she was also presented with a Guyana National Award of the Medal of Service (MS). As she arrived in the home of the Ancestors – especially those from Victoria village – it is safe to say that Claire Ann Goring, MS, has been presented with whatever awards her ancestors have to present to those who have given service as “Good, Faithful and Super Talented Servants” to Guyana.